10 Steps to Acne Free Skin
I know when I was younger and spotted my first pimple. I quickly looked to TV and magazines (nowadays it’s the internet) for the best products; and smothered myself in hope it would go away. But it seemed the more I used it, the more oily I became and I just continued to break out like I had red volcanic eruptions all over my face!
What I have learned through my experiences will help you to healthier and acne free skin!
1. Use oil/cream cleansers every morning and night.
By doing this you are breaking down all the dirt and excess oils; keeps you hydrated without ruining your Ph balance. Even if you have oily skin you should stay clear of foaming or water activated cleansers. All these products dries out your skin giving it that “tight feeling” but really it’s stripped your skin from any hydration it had and that’s when your body goes into RED ALERT and start to produce oil to compensate for the lack of water. Hence the oily skin, and the vicious cycle continues.
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2. Toner/Elixirs are a must after cleanser.
I know we all buy it but then put it away in the back of the cabinet. Why is this step so important? Well after you cleanse your skin you wash it off with water and you assume it’s all clear. But in actual fact you’re left with a clear film that you cannot see and it will sit there in your pores and eventually clog and wont allow your skin to breath.
3. Always moisturise afterwards with a day cream for the day and night cream for night.
Don’t be fooled by “You can use this day and night” Yes they are a cream but they do 2 different things. Day creams are used to lock in moisture and sits on the skin to create a barrier to keep you as hydrated as possible throughout the day as you naturally perspire and battle the elements. Whereas the night cream is to penetrate and repair your skin.
4. Avoid manual exfoliation.
Manual exfoliation is another thing that we should not do what so ever when you break out. Let’s just go back to the basics of what acne really is. Acne is a bacteria filled pore. So when you exfoliate, you’re actually spreading that bacteria more and to areas that weren’t affected in the first place. This also includes men who shave. You notice a few guys who have a lot of acne in their beards? It’s because they’re shaving the acne area constantly and spreading it across their face. Instead try using a Lemon Yoghurt mask: Buy some natural yoghurt that has acidophilus and spoon enough into a bowl that would cover your face. Add a quarter of a lemon, mix and apply. Leave for 10-15 min, wash off and continue your normal cleansing routine. I would suggest you do this once a week and your skin will be left soft and smooth and helps kill all the bacteria. But always do a small test patch first and make sure you don’t get a bad reaction to it.
5. Avoid touching and picking of the face.
Were all guilty of it but again your spreading the bacteria if you do that. So try avoiding it as much as possible. A lot of people don’t know they may have a habit of resting their hands on their forehead or chin when they’re thinking whilst studying for instance. You may now notice that your acne is actually concentrated around that area! That would most likely be your main culprit!
6. Keep the hair and hair product away.
Hairspray, gel, moose, setting sprays, heat protectants, etc. are great for styling but you have to be careful not to get it on your skin. And even your hair touching your face, particularly your bangs. The natural oils from your hair and all that build up of products can clog your pores. If you notice a lot of acne around your forehead or back of the neck. Maybe it’s a good time to clip/tie your hair away from the skin.
7. Change your pillowcase every night.
Yep every night! When you sleep you naturally sleep on your side or on your face at times. Unless you are very good and only sleep on your back (pssst it makes you age a lot slower you don’t loose elasticity of the skin as quickly). As we sleep your face touches the pillow transferring bacteria/sweat. So doing all the previous steps would be for nothing if you don’t have clean sheets. To make it sound a bit easier. Sleep on 1 side of the pillow one night and flip it over the next night. Then change your pillowcase every third night.
8. Clean your makeup applicator after every use
Makeup application is another thing that people don’t think twice about. It’s there to help cover up imperfection and of course those ugly pimples peeping through. But when you dip your foundation brush or sponge into your foundation/concealer and then onto your face and back into the product, you have just transferred the bacteria from your face into your cream/liquids and then it festers and contaminates the rest of the product. So every time you apply; you put the bacteria right back onto your face. Therefore just like the pillowcase. You need to clean your applicator of choice after every use. And a way to protect your products from contamination is to use a spatula of some sort onto a metal/plastic plate and apply that way. Clean product equals clean face. If you’re really lazy at times then invest in disposable sponges.
9. Get those bowels regular
A healthy bowel movement should be at least once a day, better if its twice a day. When you don’t go for 3 days it not only gets harder but when feces sit inside your bowels for too long it starts to release toxins, and you pretty much perspire feces which can also cause acne. Experts believe that in one day a person can hold 2 -9 kilos of feces. A toxic colon can have 18 kilos! So drink lots of water, add high fiber foods like vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fresh fruit and cut down on high fatty foods such as meat, cheese and refined sugars. Reduce any intake of caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and alcohol.
10. Exercise!
Exercise not only keeps your body healthy on the inside and sexy on the outside, but sweating it out and increasing the blood flow helps nourish your skin cells. Blood cells carry oxygen and it actually helps remove waste products, which also include free radicals out of the body. (Remember to cleanse and tone after that work out!)
Just remember to always listen to your body. Only you know when something is not right, just believe in yourself.
Here’s to a happier healthier you.
